It took Rafael a little while to calm down, and despite the awkwardness of their position due to the height difference, he foundfort in being in Hera’s arms and being gently pampered. Hera continued to stroke his head soothingly, and the onlookers remained tacitly silent, absorbed in the scene. Even the live-stream audience watched in hushed fascination, savoring the quiet, intimate moment between the two. Only a fewments trickled in, as the majority seemed to share in the quiet, heartfelt connection unfolding before them.


    [Dave_Carson: I told you he would cry... (? °?д°?)]


    [NorthernDuke: ...]


    [SilverEmperor: ...]


    [FatherOfCaduceus: ...]


    [GoldenLight: ...]


    [GoldenLight: Maybe I should enroll in a ss on how to cry convincingly? @SilverEmperor, want to join me for some training?]


    [SilverEmperor: I’m not even sure I can pull off a tearful performance like that. Maybe we should both sign up for the ss.]


    [Dave_Carson: Count me in too! I need to learn the art of crying if I want to be taken seriously by my sweetheart.]


    [Dave_Carson: Why not ask @NorthernDuke for lessons on how to cry? Isn’t it his specialty? @SilverEmperor and @GoldenLight]


    [NorthernDuke: Are you trying to tter me or just get on my nerves?!]


    [Dave_Carson: Maybe a bit of both? ) teehee!]


    Now that Rafael was calming down and Hera’s mind was starting to clear, she recalled that there was something important she needed to discuss with him. He hadn’t yet responded to her text message, and she needed to address it.


    "Are you feeling better?" Hera asked, attempting to gently free herself from Rafael’s embrace so she could get a better look at him. However, Rafael tightened his hold even more, unwilling to let go.


    "Can we stay like this for a little while longer?" Rafael requested, his voice hoarse and dry from earlier sobbing. Even without looking, Hera could tell his eyes were likely still red and puffy. So, she continued to stroke his hair, offeringfort and reassurance.


    "Hmm, how about we have lunch together? I need to discuss something important with you," Hera suggested, her tone taking on a serious note. Before Rafael could respond, she continued, "It’s about Minerva, and I believe you need to hear this." Hera knew that to earn the male leads’ trust, she had to be transparent about what she could share, though she still hesitated to reveal details connected to the storyline and her true intentions. She hoped that in time, if she earned their trust and protection, she might be able to open up more, or if necessary, reveal the full truth under pressing circumstances.


    But those were options only if she found herself with no other choice or if it became absolutely necessary. For now, the most she could offer was this level of transparency. She could see that Rafael was genuinely trying to change and help his sister as well, but his efforts might not be enough if they were only scratching the surface of a deeper problem. To avoid wasting his efforts, he needed to understand what she and Gerald had uncovered about Minerva and see how he would respond to it.


    This would be a moment of truth with Rafael, to see where his heart and affiliation lie and see if she was really starting to get the fate of the female lead. After hearing the seriousness in her voice, Rafael could tell that Hera meant business, so he took a long dragging sniff of her scent before he slowly let go of her and stared straight at her face. He noticed a mixture of worry, resolve, and determination in her expression, but beneath it all, he could sense an underlying fear.


    He couldn’t fully grasp what was going on in Hera’s mind, but he knew that Minerva must have done something truly outrageous to provoke such a reaction from someone as smart and resolute as Hera. He had always seen her as a cunning and strong-willed individual, so this level of concern was telling.